Post by 88pathoffroad on Oct 18, 2008 20:18:34 GMT -5
Here's my latest batch, fresh out of the 12-lb Thumler's Model B rotary tumbler. I ran everything solely in the rotary.
I tossed a little of everything in here...Calapooya Purple I collected, some Holley Blue, some Holleywood and Willamette River petrified wood, river agate, jasper, slab scraps, etc.
This ran with 30-60 grit for three weeks(going with 60-90 next time), 120-220 for one week, 500 for one week, then aluminum oxide polish with plenty of plastic pellets for about 9 days. Then a burnish with Borax.
For my next tumble I'm going to let the rough grit round the stones off more before going to the next stages, I'm tired of pits and sharp edges messing up my polish!
How'd I do?
I tossed a little of everything in here...Calapooya Purple I collected, some Holley Blue, some Holleywood and Willamette River petrified wood, river agate, jasper, slab scraps, etc.
This ran with 30-60 grit for three weeks(going with 60-90 next time), 120-220 for one week, 500 for one week, then aluminum oxide polish with plenty of plastic pellets for about 9 days. Then a burnish with Borax.
For my next tumble I'm going to let the rough grit round the stones off more before going to the next stages, I'm tired of pits and sharp edges messing up my polish!
How'd I do?
They start off with a green rind, tumbling quickly bares the purple inside. Many nodules are half and half calcite and agate. Some nodules are citrine or root beer flavored as well as purple. 
